RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study presents results for a pediatric series of tympanoplasty using the butterfly-cartilage technique, with comparison to literature reports. METHODS: A retrospective study included patients aged between 2 and 12 years receiving tympanoplasty performed by a single senior surgeon in our department between 2003 and 2012, for whom pre- and postoperative tympanum imaging was complete. Results were analyzed at a minimum 10 months' follow-up in terms of graft healing and auditory data, with pre- and postoperative audiograms and calculation of mean hearing loss. RESULTS: Twenty-eight tympanoplasties were performed in 27 children: 16 males, 11 females; in 1 case, perforation was bilateral. Perforation location was inferior or antero-inferior in 14 cases (50%), antero-superior in 9 (32.1%) and anterior in 5 (17.9%). Perforation size on otoscopy ranged from 11.1% to 36.4% of tympanum area (mean, 26.3%). Mean follow-up was 25 months. Closure of the perforation was achieved in 87.7% of cases. Mean hearing loss was 20.2dB (range, 10-31.25dB) preoperatively and 14dB (range, 5-31.25dB) postoperatively. DISCUSSION: We analyze our results and compare them with the international literature to refine indications for this technique of tympanic repair. CONCLUSION: Tympanoplasty using the butterfly-cartilage technique was reliable and easy to perform. It should be included in the therapeutic armamentarium for moderate non-marginal tympanic perforation. In the present series, the technique was reserved to perforations involving less than 40% of tympanum area.
